Updated Fire Codes

Colorado Springs City Council has given initial approval to new fire codes. KRCC’s Katherine-Claire O’Connor reports.

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The proposed ordinances aim to reduce fire damage. Changes include using fire resistant roofing materials, and controlling the growth of trees and shrubs. Deputy Fire Marshal Kris Cooper says in the wake of the Waldo Canyon Fire the new rules simply make sense.

“Firefighters and fire crews had to make choices and take a stand and say, ‘Okay we are going to start defending from this point on,’ or ‘These houses are savable. Those are too far threatened, or too far along.’ Those are very tough decisions to make. So if we can increase the safety of the community to where we have fewer ignitions in the event of a future wildfire, then obviously the community as a whole is better for that.”

Nearly all seventy people rebuilding after the Waldo Canyon Fire voluntarily agreed to the new updates. A final vote is expected in January. For KRCC news, I’m Katherine-Claire O’Connor.

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